French Double Inkstand with Cherub

This is an ornate Louis XV Style (Rococo Revival) double inkstand of French origin, dating to the late 19th century (circa 1870–1890).

Description

This piece is a classic example of the “Belle Époque” desk accessories that were highly popular in Parisian workshops during the Napoleon III period.

• The Figural Centerpiece: The seated cherub is a reproduction of the famous sculpture “L’Amour menaçant” (The Menacing Love/Cupid) by the French sculptor Étienne-Maurice Falconet, originally commissioned by Madame de Pompadour in 1757. The figure is depicted in a “silentium” pose, with a finger to his lips signaling secrecy while he reaches for an arrow.
• Metalwork & Finish: It features a sophisticated two-tone finish. The cherub is finished in a dark “patinated” bronze, while the base is “gilt” (high-quality gilded brass). This contrast was a hallmark of high-end French decorative arts of the era.
• Stylistic Elements: The base is heavily decorated with Rococo motifs, including:
  • Coquille (Scallop Shell): A large, central shell motif that serves as the pen tray.
  • Acanthus Leaves: The scrolling edges and feet are composed of flowing acanthus foliage and “C-scrolls.”
• The Inkwells: It features two square-set inkwells with ornate, tiered domed lids. The interior would originally have held glass or ceramic liners for the ink – missing here.

Age and Origin

• Estimated Date: Late 19th Century (c. 1870–1890).
• Rationale: While the design is based on the 18th-century Louis XV style, the specific casting techniques, the use of the Falconet figure in this scale, and the overall “busy” Rococo Revival aesthetic are characteristic of the French Napoleon III to early Third Republic periods.

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